The suitcases are packed.
The passports are tucked in my purse. And thank God Scott’s arrived.
The new Camera + Computer Backpack is loaded up and I can tell already that it will serve me well.
In the past few days I’ve gone to:
Target for a cheapie hair dryer and a few toiletries and pre-trip odds and ends
Bed Bath & Beyond for a Baking Supplies fest. Gotta bring things down to bake with!
Trader Joe’s
Ralph’s
Bank
Rite-Aid
Post Office to stop mail
I gave nuts. i.e. I’ve given Skylar’s teachers their gifts
Washed and gassed the car
Made a jillion phone calls because once we get there it’s about 75 cents per minute to make calls to the U.S.
Cooked, cleaned, washed sheets, cleaned out the fridge
Clipped lots of toenails and fingernails (I swear kids’ nails grow so fast!)
Packed everything from suitsuits for Skylar and I to stevia to Advent calendars to the gifts that Santa is bringing in his sleigh. Or that mom is bringing in the suitcase ensuring that it will be overweight and we will be paying that lovely overweight baggage fee. Ahh, but Santa comes for all good girls and she’s been amazing this year.
And about 8765 other things.
It’s kind of mind-boggling how busy I’ve been getting ready.
I haven’t slept much.
Good thing I’ll be getting tons of sleep on that red eye tonight. Ummm, yeah, sure. With a 4 year old and thousands of dollars of valuables in my carry-on in either the overhead bins or at my feet, I’m sure I’ll be awake either singing the Wheels on the Bus or making sure no one robs us. Scott will be snoring before we even take off.
So in honor of being crazy frantic leading up to our trip and flight tonight and because I know when we get there, the first half week or so is a blur and no elaborate cooking projects will happen, I decided to break in my new mini-donut pan.
Everyone bakes donuts in advance of an international trip, right? Makes perfect sense.
It involves this. It was either use it or lose it in Operation Fridge Cleanout.
The Eggnog Chai Smoothie I made with the ‘nog was good.
These are ridiculously good.
Including an eggnog glaze. Rum optional but encouraged.
Stay tuned for the recipe…
Or just make these for now.
The next time you hear from me, with any luck, I’ll be here…
Doing some floating and a whole lotta nothing.
Questions:
1. What’s on your agenda for the weekend?
Any (Holiday) baking projects? Hope so!
2. How do you plan, prepare, or pack for trips? How long does it take you to pack? How do you decide how much (or little) to bring?
It’s a mother’s unwritten job to think of everything from band-aids to deodorant to snacks to the favorite blankie to Santa stuff to the husband’s passport so that he doesn’t forget it.
And pack for myself, too. That’s the easy part.
It’s packing for two other people and household stuff and thinking 3-4 weeks ahead of the curve and will I have enough child probiotics to give her in 23 days from now and did I remember cards for Scott’s birthday and did Santa bring enough on the sleigh…that is a little dizzying.
But if it got forgotten..who cares! I try my best but if I forget things, whatever. We’ll live.
And it just means it’s time to pour another pina colada on the beach!
Have a great weekend!
You’re killin’ me with this eggnog smoothie!! Must make one soon!
Have an awesome time!!! Jealous of your mini donut pan ;D I actually bought mini muffin pans the day before Thanksgiving and have yet to bake with them. Definitely on the agenda soon! I am the worst packer ever. I usually do it the night before haha.
have funnnnn!! :)
Do you have unlimited wi-fi at your place in Aruba? You can use Skype on your computer to make phone calls really cheap. All you need is a mic which most laptops have built in now. I think y ou can also d/l the app on your iphone but i’m not familiar with how it works.
When I was in Europe Skype was a lifesaver. You have to be at your computer but you can call other ppl’s phones. Calling 1-800 numbers is free and calling any US number (cell phone or landline) was about 2 or 3 cents per minute and you could just buy 10 dollars in credit.
just a thought!
I will be working and baking (probably something of yours:) over the weekend and for me, packing takes time. I like to prepare well in advance and have everything organized. I try to pack light, but it really depends on what I will be doing, how long I will be away, and what I really need when it comes to packing.
Happy Holidays and safe travels.
If you get this in time. Don’t use any of your above mentioned ways to call people in the US!! 75cents per minute is insane. If you have your computer, download skype and make calls from there. I live in Japan and if I call home to an actual number I use skype and it’s 2 cents per minute.
Safe journey! Yes, I relate to the packing whirlwind with multiple responsibilities, and I _totally_ relate to a fridge-cleanout-bakefest on the eve of departure (although you could probably have frozen that nog too). Glad that you made a real good treat with it to see you on your way.
Have so much fun and travel safely! Can’t wait to see some photos and soak up some sun vicariously through them!
I travel so much for work that I am the biggest procrastinator when it comes to packing … I used to worry about taking everything … now, if I forget something … I breathe deep and move on … have a safe and wonderful trip!
Good luck with your travels!!! Can’t wait to see pics from the beach!!
I hope you all have a safe and wonderful trip! Can’t wait to see beach pics :)
The farthest I’ll be traveling this weekend is to my book-club holiday party about 4 miles up the road. I detest traveling, really I do. I’ll start my trip of the world as soon as someone invents one of those Star Trek teleporters. Have fun!
Safe travels my friend. I’ll be thinking about you guys!
have fun so jealous of the warmth ull have!
I hope you guys have a fabulous trip!
Looking forward to some beach pictures ;)
I bet it is so hard to pack with children and it seems you are bringing half of your household :D
So so so jealous. Have a great trip!